Ethics Approval

The National Research Ethics Service (NRES)

The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) was launched on 1 April 2007. It comprise the Head Office function (formerly COREC) and NHS RECS in England and works with colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to maintain the established UK-wide framework for ethical review of research.

When Do I Need Ethical Approval for a Project?

Ethical approval from the appropriate NHS REC is required for any research proposal involving:

Patients or users of the NHS. This includes all potential research participants recruited by virtue of the patient or user's past or present treatment by, or use of, the NHS. It includes NHS patients treated under contracts with privare sector institutions

Individuals identified as potential research participants because of their status as relatives or carers of patients and users of the NHS, as defined above

Access to data, organs or other bodily material of past and present NHS patients

Fetal material and IVF involving NHS patients

The recently deceased in NHS premises

The use of, or potential access to, NHS premises or facilities

The HRA, along with the MRC, have developed an online tool kit to help establish if your research project will need ethical approval.

Proportionate Review Service

The Proportionate review service provides for expedited review of studies which raise no material ethical issues, presenting minimal risk, burden and intrusion for participants. This service allows these studies to be reviewed by a proportionate review sub-committee, rather than at a full ethics committee, within 14 days of receipt of valid application. A tool is available on the NRES website to confirm if your study is suitable for proportionate review.